ALBANY - Enhanced visitation guidelines implemented in January at several regional hospitals to protect patients from influenza have been lifted at several hospitals. The restrictions were lifted because the region has seen a steady decrease in the number of flu cases since a peak in late December and early January.

These temporary restrictions were intended to help limit the transmission of the virus and protect the health and safety of patients and the professionals who provided their care during the outbreak. Area medical facilities continue to ask people who are sick with any respiratory or gastrointestinal illness to refrain from visiting patients.